Nurture a Nature Connection Through Food: FOOD AS MEDICINE
Food is medicine. The power of plants is incredible. Our ancestors were well aware of this, as they didn't have pharmacies on every corner but instead reached out to their garden or took a walk in the nearby fields or woods to procure a fix for what ailed them.
Today, without a working knowledge of the plants growing in our own back yard, let alone our surrounding area, many of us have lost the innate trust in the power of the natural world to heal us. But knowledge is power. Yes, we are very fortunate in many ways for the marvels of modern medicine. Yet, there are so many opportunities for self-reliance and pure health benefits that we are missing out on simply because we don't know they exist.
I am still working on a steep learning curve, as there is oh so much to learn about the nature remedies and benefits of the natural world around us. But it is so fascinating to me that I am driven to find out more. More about growing my own food, wild foraging, herbalism, and all the other simple yet powerful ways that we re-wild our modern families and tap into that long forgotten knowledge that shaped the day to day lives of those before us.
I will share what I've come to learn on my journey thus far. Here are some simple yet powerful ways to introduce you and your family to the power of food as medicine!
3 OF OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO TAP INTO THE HEALING POWER OF FOOD
Juicing
Daily Greens
Herbs and Spices
Juicing
Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juice gives you an immediate energy boost. If you've ever tried fresh juice, you know what I'm talking about. This is potent stuff, as it packed with concentrated plant nutrients. I started drinking it while pregnant because it was a for sure way to beat the exhaustion in the afternoon! It's also a great way to sneak more veggies into your kids diet. : )
We shop farmers markets and the organic produce at the grocery store for our juicing ingredients. My kids love making the juice, so the whole process is a great way to connect kids to the source of their food.
With such a nutrient-rich drink, it can help you in so many ways. If there is a specific ailment you are trying to treat, other than simply boosting your overall health, you can check out Juicing For Health or other related sites for recipes geared towards certain medicinal benefits.
Daily Greens
Kale and Collards are heavy hitters when it comes to your leafy greens. They boost your immune system, give your body a natural detox, and provide numeral vitamins and minerals.
We bake up Kale Chips, use them in Smoothies, and toss them in Stir-Fries! Of course juicing them is great too.
If are prone to getting colds or feel one coming on increase your intake of Dark Leafy Greens for a natural detox and huge hit of vitamin C. Once you realize that daily greens is like taking your multi-vitamin you gain a whole new appreciation for where those vitamins in the jar come from.
Herbs and Spices
I definitely have some go-to herbs and spices always present in my kitchen cupboards. Once you learn the immediate, side-effect free, easy to use kitchen staples than can cure your ailments you will wonder why you hadn't been reaching for them all along. I absolutely love knowing what I am putting into my body and exactly how it's working for me. So here are my favorites are how we use them. But these are good for endless ailments so feel free to research how they can help you!
Garlic
If I feel a cold coming on, I chop up some raw garlic into pill size and swallow them with water. Raw Garlic is a powerful antioxidant with antiviral and antibiotic properties.
Cayenne
Immediate relief for sinus congestion, I mix one or two shakes of cayenne with honey lemon tea for a quick fix.
Ginger Root
Coughs, colds, and upset stomach and I slice up some ginger root for tea or dice it up and toss it in with rice and veggies.
Elderberry
I just recently tested this out and made our first batch of elderberry syrup! This is to be used during the winter months as an immune booster. Studies have shown that this little powerhouse of a berry will prevent infection or stop it from spreading. Perfect for cold and flu season, right?
Once you start down the road of d.i.y. home remedies and realize the potential of food as medicine I'm sure you'll be hooked! Nothing better than realizing you aren't tied to the big companies and can work a little magic right in your own kitchen. If you already do tap into the healing power of plants, just make sure to share the love and innate wisdom our ancestors took to heart. Knowledge truly is power! Food is medicine.
